ARTICLES ABOUT HISTORIC TRIANGLE BY DATE - PAGE 4

When lifelong Williamsburg resident Ron Campana graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, he knew that he wanted to return to his hometown. It was a decision that sometimes drew blank stares from his peers and chuckles from his friends who couldn't understand why he wanted to move back to the historic tourist town. "People would often ask me, 'Why do you want to move to Williamsburg? It's for tourists and retirees,' " Campana said. "I knew Williamsburg offered so much more and that there were young professionals like me living here."

Historic Triangle businesses hoping to continue to cash in on tourist dollars after 2007's record-setting year received a reality check at the end of the summer season - people just aren't spending what they used to. Tourism officials say businesses and attractions in York County, Williamsburg and James City County are reporting fewer visitors and less spending than last summer, when Jamestown's year-plus-long commemoration of its 400th anniversary...

ACHIEVEMENTS Scholarships Williamsburg resident Blakeley Brown has been awarded the Batten Family Scholarship from Dartmouth College, where she plans to attend in the fall. Brown, a 2008 graduate of Hampton Roads Academy, also received a scholarship from BB&T Corp. in recognition of her being a 2008 National Merit Scholarship finalist. She is the daughter of Robb and Lori Brown of Williamsburg. Disabled American Veterans "Victory" Chapter 13 of Yorktown recently presented Charles P. Radcliff Memorial Scholarships to five graduating York County high school seniors: Abigail A. Nurnberger of Bruton High, Venner F. Milewski III of Tabb High, Bradley S. Loeb of Grafton High, Zechariah Dillingham of York High and Julia W. Frankel of Bruton High.

The would-be developers of a unique time share proposal near Williamsburg were dealt a major blow when York County's planning commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend against their project. Colonial X Inc. wants to revamp its Bypass Road hotel with $4.5 million in renovations when it loses its La Quinta Inn franchise in October. Company officials say the struggling hotel cannot support, under its current business plan, renovations being required by the parent company.

Jamestown's 350th anniversary was not only a huge tourism boost for Virginia but also a strong impetus for the preservation of public sites in the Historic Triangle. Prior to the celebration, World War II and a lack of federal funds had delayed the plans for the Colonial National Historic Park, says Clyde F. Trudell in "Colonial Williamsburg." When planning for the celebration began in 1952, a state-appointed commission recommended major improvements, including proposals for visitor information centers in Jamestown and Yorktown.

Getting from High Street to New Town will someday be as easy as hopping on the trolley. Williamsburg Area Transport recently received a grant for three trolley buses that will serve the local shopping areas of New Town, High Street and Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg. They could start running as early as next spring. The buses will make stops within the three areas, as well as transporting locals and tourists between them. Noting it was too early to say if the rides would be free or have a small cost, transit officials said the trolley would operate at night to allow people to go out without a vehicle.

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation said Thursday that it surpassed its $24 million fundraising goal that was set in 2005 to help finance the museum build-up necessary for the Jamestown 2007 commemoration. The money was used along with substantial state funds to improve exhibits and facilities over the last few years. The foundation runs the Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Centers, two of three pillars that joins Colonial Williamsburg to form the Historic Triangle. Tourism leaders in the region hope the changes will be lasting monuments that will ensure the history museums will attract visitors long into the future.

WILLIAMSBURG Music club receives grant from trust The Williamsburg Music Club recently received a grant from the Williamsburg Community Trust, a community foundation made up of a collection of local donor gifts and investments. The club intends to use the funds to help provide scholarships and awards for the young musicians in the region. For more information, visit williamsburgmusicclub.org or williamsburgcommunity trust.org. WalkAbout program expanding in May The Williamsburg WalkAbout program, coordinated by Sentara Williamsburg Regional Hospital's Community Health and Prevention department, will expand in May to include all of the Historic Triangle.

Getting less money than it wanted from the city of Williamsburg won't impair the Historic Triangle's tourism alliance from completing its current slate of projects, business leaders told city officials Monday. The Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance requested $1.031 million from the city, which would have been a 13.8 percent jump from the current year. Instead, City Manager Jack Tuttle's proposed budget, made public last week, gives the alliance $940,000 - a 3.5 percent increase from last year.